Senior Contracts Manager - Bilingual English and French
$85k - $115k USD
Kepler executes engineered marketing, where every message and ad delivered helps create a more personalized and productive relationship between brands and their consumers. We do this by acting as clients’ agency of record, as their in-house team, or some hybrid of the two – and by harnessing data and technology across all paid digital media and data-driven CRM channels.
Kepler prides itself on being a great place to work. In fact, we’re proud to share that AdAge recognized Kepler among the Best Place to Work in 2022, validating our investment in our team and our clients.
- We're transparent with our employees. You'll hear updates on company financials, how we're performing against bonus goals, and how we're responding to challenges we face.
- We're growing. For you, that means unparalleled growth opportunities and a role in shaping the direction of the company.
- We're fun. You'll work with and learn from the smartest people in the industry and have a blast doing it.
kyu Pulse is the integrated services platform of kyu, a global collective of best-in-class creative, media, and technology companies. It supports a network of independent agencies operating across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Rather than functioning as a traditional holding company, kyu connects highly specialized firms and enables them to collaborate across disciplines and geographies. kyu Pulse serves as the operational backbone of this model. It supports multiple member companies across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, and other global markets, helping them scale efficiently while preserving their creative independence.
Operating at the intersection of creativity and commercial rigor, kyu Pulse is built for complexity. Teams manage high-volume commercial agreements, support multi-entity collaboration, and create the systems that allow diverse businesses to operate with clarity and speed.
This is an environment designed for operators. High visibility. Cross-border impact. Meaningful influence across a global portfolio.
ROLE
We're seeking a Senior Contracts Manager to lead contract management operations for our Montreal-based operations and French-Canadian market initiatives. This role requires a highly autonomous professional who can independently manage the complete contract lifecycle from initial negotiation through execution and renewal. The ideal candidate will be bilingual, process-oriented, and capable of handling high-volume contract workflows while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and business judgment.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Contract Negotiation & Management (70%)
- Independently negotiate commercial agreements from initial draft through final execution, including client services agreements, vendor contracts, partnership agreements, and statements of work;
- Conduct contract negotiations in both French and English with clients, vendors, and partners across Quebec and French-Canadian markets;
- Manage high-volume contract pipeline with multiple concurrent negotiations and tight deadlines;
- Make independent business decisions on contract terms within established parameters and escalate only complex legal issues to counsel;
- Maintain comprehensive contract database and ensure accurate tracking of key terms, renewal dates, and obligations.
Process Development & Optimization (20%)
- Design and implement efficient contract management processes and workflows;
- Develop and maintain contract templates, playbooks, and negotiation guidelines;
- Create and manage contract approval workflows and signature processes;
- Establish metrics and reporting systems to track contract performance and cycle times;
- Train business stakeholders on contract processes and standard terms.
Stakeholder Management & Business Support (10%)
- Collaborate directly with business development, account management, and project teams to support deal closure;
- Provide contract guidance and interpretation to internal stakeholders;
- Manage relationships with external counsel when legal review is required;
- Support compliance monitoring and contract performance tracking;
- Participate in cross-functional projects and special initiatives.
REQUIREMENTS
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Legal Studies, or related field;
- Experience: 5-8 years of contracts management experience, preferably in professional services, creative agencies, or technology companies;
- Contract Expertise: Proven track record managing high-volume contract portfolios and conducting independent negotiations;
- Autonomy: Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision and make sound business decisions;
- Organization: Exceptional organizational skills with experience implementing and managing contract management systems;
- Technology: Proficiency with contract lifecycle management (CLM) software and Microsoft Office Suite;
- Business Acumen: Strong understanding of commercial terms and ability to balance business objectives with risk management;
- Language Skills: Must be 100% bilingual (English and French);
- This is a hybrid position. In-office presence is required three days per week at our Toronto office.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in advertising, marketing services, or creative industries;
- Familiarity with Quebec commercial law and French-Canadian business practices;
- Background with international commercial agreements;
- Project management certification or experience;
- Previous experience supporting multiple business units or subsidiaries;
- Understanding of intellectual property and licensing agreements.
Total Compensation:
- Base Salary (CAD): $85,000 - $115,000
- Target Annualized Discretionary Bonus: up to 5%
- Target Total Cash (CAD): $89,250 - $120,750
Kepler is a people first organization. If this role piques your interest but you may not check every box, we still encourage you to apply! Studies show that imposter syndrome can prevent women and people of color from applying unless they meet every single qualification. We welcome all who are interested to apply, you just might be a great candidate for this role or others.